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Asked for Elgar’s reaction to the decision to take the players off, South Africa manager Mohammed Moosajee appeared to dodge the question and said: “Nobody has made a direct statement with the ball seaming around.

“If it is hitting the rib cage or fingers, you can get away from it. But once it is hitting the face or the head, that's why the match refs walked off the field.”

But India are not happy about it.

India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said: “That ball (Elgar) was back of length, hard length. It kicked off slightly more bounce than usual.

“The bounce on this wicket is completely natural. Not dangerous, it is completely similar for both team.”

He added: “We wanted to continue, the umpires said the decision is completely up to us. We told them our message is completely clear. We want to play.”

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The day was ended early after Dean Elgar received the blow

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South Africa were 17/1 in the second innings when the incident happened

India’s team manager Sunil Subramanium said: “The match referee called me at tea time in case the wicket got dangerous, in which case both the captains would be consulted.

“We had the view that the wicket has been the same for all three days. Today we had the highest strike rates and the least wickets.

“We would like to continue playing. The match referee was fearful that in case the new ball was going to be taken, it might be behave dangerously.

“The ball that hit Dean Elgar on his helmet was the reason play was called off today.

“We are willing to play. Umpires are the final judges on the fitness of the ground, regardless of the views of either of the captains.”

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Dean Elgar receives treatment for the injury

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The player walk off the field

Both sets of players were left in the dressing room as it was decided what decision to take.

During that time - around 17.20 local time in Johannesburg, the covers came on as drizzle began.

And the umpires eventually called it stumps on day three of the third and final Test.

India captain Virat Kohli was seen in conversation with the umpires before the teams were taken off the field.

South Africa were 17/1 in their second innings after being set 241 to win the final Test.

Opener Elgar had already hit 11 runs from 32 balls when he faced the delivery.